“You are Goddess. You are Divine!”

Join us in India to explore the roots of Devi wisdom through sacred sites, five faces of Tantric goddesses, yoga and devotional Indian dance, during Navaratri, the longest ongoing Goddess Festival on the planet. 

Yoga and dance are ancient spiritual paths to self-realization, to live in wholeness, access our innate wisdom and well-being. There is a natural synergy between the two disciplines. Throughout history they've endlessly inspired and influenced the other, ultimately they are One. 

The practices and studies in this fourteen day immersion into Goddess are based on the teachings of nondual Tantric Siavism of the Trika wisdom stream and Sakta teachings, and the Indian Classical Dance of Bharata Natyam.

We'll explore the different aspects of Devi Shakti (goddess energy/power), through goddesses: Durga, Kali, Lakshmi, Saraswati, and various goddess collectives of the ancient Sakta text of the Devi Mahatyma. We will explore sculpture-like posture, fluid asana and dance movement, pranayama, mudra, mantras, mythology, symbolism, bhakti/devotion, signature qualities of each goddess, mediation and yantra.

We'll do so first in Dehli where we will visit The Tantra Foundation and engage in a private discussion with Shakta and Tantra scholar Madhu Khanna. Then by train we'll venture to ancient goddess worship sites and temples throughout the region of the state of Madhya Pradesh, the heart of India. Visiting circular Yogini and secret forest temples, and ancient places of goddess practices at the world famous UNESCO World Heritage site of Khajuraho legendary for Tantric worship before returning back to Delhi to conclude our time together. We will also be visiting one of the wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal. It will be a our concluding place of deep reflection and practice together. 

In addition, we'll have the  chance to view live local dancers. To experience firsthand the "bhava", the  “ecstasy" or “emotion" these revelatory dance forms bring forth in ourselves.  

"Woman is the basis of the world, the Universe is her form" ~ Shaktisangama Tantra (II.52)

You'll learn :

- Deity Yoga

- What is Devi Sakti

- How Devi works in our lives and cosmos

- Multiple forms of Devi and their inner functions

- Introduction to the most important ancient text the Devi Mahatyma or called the Chandi Path

- Visions of different Yoga philosophies in relation to Sakti

- Mantras, mudras, yantra and pranayama to align and invoke Sakti, as tools for healing and transformation

- Devotional dance and asanas to awaken and viscerally embody different signature qualities of Devi which can release tension/trauma and integrate the benefits of all practices

- A Devidance Yoga sequence of 5 Goddesses: Saraswati, Lakshmi, Kali, Durga, Parvati

- Meditations and contemplations for these 5 Goddesses and collectives of Godddess that will prompt you to explore deep within 

These practices and self-study can:

- Heal, transform and activate your inner power

- Balance and awaken the different faces of Devi within and how to recognize Sakti's signature energies within yourself

- Shift the feeling of physical and mental exhaustion to the feeling of energy and balance

- Incorporate ancient Feminine Wisdom into you daily life

- Develop self-confidence and empowerment in various areas of your life

- And more! 

What you'll recieve:

- A 50 page course book to orient and deepen in these teachings and practices during our time together in India and for once you are back home

This retreat/course is 2-weeks of Deity Yoga! 

Stephanie Renee dos Santos guides people on the inner path through nondual Tantric Shaivism wisdom of the Trika lineage stream. She assists practitioners to unravel the inner world and discover for themselves the Heart of Reality. She’s known as an inspiring, loving, creative and compassionate teacher with the Hindu goddess Bhuvaneshwari-like quality to create sacred healing, creative-expressive and meditative spaces. She's been given permission to share these teachings by meditation master, the late Sally Kempton rooted in the lineage of Siddha Gurus. She holds a B.A in Studio Arts from Whitman College and is an active artist and writer. Painting meditation visions for educational and meditative support. 

She's co-author of the forthcoming spiritual memoir anthology When She Wakes: Women's Stories of Kundalini Awakening. Women's firsthand accounts of this divine grace. 

She contributed spiritual writing to literary journal Lalitamba and is co-creative of Devidance Yoga with classical Indian dancer Ganga Devi. 

Stephanie guides meditation, backpacking pilgrimages throughout the mountains of the world and is the creative of Ashram of Arts. www.mountainshakti.com

Gabriela Lopez (Ganga Devi) seeks tools for healing through Feminine Divine teachings, one's that bring empowerment. She is a Homeopath and Iridologist Therapist, focused on the care of women, mothers and children. She has been practicing Indian Classical Dance since 2008. She studies with Professor Krishna Sharana, and conducts workshops, lectures and presentations throughout Brazil. She also has studied with Guru Mithun Shyam of the Vaishnavi Natyashala School in Bangalore, India.  Now, she trains in the historic dance wisdom stream of Marga Natya, a technique based on the ancient script of the Natya Shastra, at the Chidakash Kalalay Institute, Calcutta in India. Her current main focus is sharing this ancient dance tradition which is always associated with developing self-knowledge through art. She is co-founder of "Devidance Yoga" focused on sharing the synergy of goddess wisdom through dance and yoga.  

Madhu Khanna is the Founder of the Tantra Foundation in India. She is a world-renowned scholar of Tantric Studies, curator of Tantra Art and author of ten books. She has written luminous and well-known titles Yantra, Tantric Symbols of Cosmic Unity, The Tantric Way which has been translated into five languages and 20 published editions. Recent publications include, Tantra on the Edge: Inspirations & Experiment in Twentieth Century Indian Art, Studies on Tantra in Bengal and Eastern India, and the Saktapramodah: Of Deva Nandan Singh.

She's an expert on Tantra Art, contemporary and ancient. As the Tangor National Fellow at the National Museum in Delhi, she's been a part of and helped curate an exhibit for the British Museum, "Tantra: Enlightenment to Revolution", and  "Tantra on the Edge" in India. 

She's the founder of the CIASA educational program in collaboration with the government of India, called the Center of Indic and Agamic Studies in Asia. Also, she heads up philanthropic projects "Shri Kunja," a rural children library program and a rural center for eco-heritage and green consciousness in Bengal. www.shrikunja.org 

In addition, she's founder of The Tantra Foundation Library, located on the outskirts of Delhi in India, hosting yearly, an in person "Distinguished Lecture." www.tantralibrary.com 

Daily Schedule 

Once in Khajuraho where we will be staying for 6 nights we will practice daily goddess-based Hatha Yoga, inclusive of breathwork and meditation, and sacred dance along with foundational teachings on each goddess. Self-inquiry is an integral aspect of our goddess studies. 

When in Delhi there will be daily teachings and practices also, days of travel will be days of discussion and integration. In Gwalior we will also practice both dance, guided meditation and self-inquiry.  We will be staying two nights in Agra to visit the world famous and beautiful tribute to love, the Taj Mahal. It is here that the last of the teachings will conclude before we venture back to Delhi together. 

Seasonal information

October temperatures on average, are in the 60 to 70's.

Weather information

Everywhere we are going in general is on the dry side.

Responsible travel

Patience and lightheartedness are two excellent qualities for visiting Indian. Also, it is important to not hand out candy to children as it encourages begging. It is fine to give food or change as you feel to those in need as each situation arises. This is a deep journey of listening to the heart and one of compassion, offering a smile and kind words is always welcome. 

Electricity and outlets

220 volts we recommend to bring adapters (one or two)

*despite that where we are staying your room may have outlets that already accommodate your devices

How to get there (flights, airport transfers, buses, trains)

All pilgrimage travel information will be sent to you once you've signed up for the retreat. But please feel free to contact us with question prior should you need clarification on something beforehand.

Visa stuff

You will need an E-Visa for India. Details on how to get this will be sent to you once you've registered. 

What to bring

All list of recommended items to bring on this journey will be sent to you upon registration. 

Vaccinations requirements

Please check your country of origin to see what vaccinations are required for your nationality before arriving in India. 

Travel insurance 

Travel insurance is highly suggested for this journey. It can be purchased along with your plane ticket, or another provider or here at WeTravel. 

Waiver of Liability 

The Waiver of Liability must be signed prior to arrival in India.

Other Important Terms

• A deposit of $500 is required to sign up.  $300 of this is unrefundable, if for whatever reason you are unable to attend at any point. 
• Payment in full must be made by June 30, 2024. There are no refunds 90 days prior to the start date of the journey. Alternatively, you can option for a "Raincheck" to the next year's pilgrimage to India. 
• The only exception to refunds is if India closes its borders due to COVID. If this happens 30 days prior to the retreat, you can receive a 70% refund or a full "Raincheck" to participate the following year. After the 30 days, no refunds will be made, even if your country changes its Covid restrictions, so please obtain the appropriate travel insurance coverage. 
• It is seriously recommended that you obtain travel and health insurance for this journey. 
• The Waiver of Liability must be signed prior to arrival in India. 

 By signing up, you are agreeing to all of these terms. 

Do I need to be a dancer or already practice yoga to attend? No, prior dance nor yoga experience is a requirement to join us.  Just an open heart!  

What will our daily schedule be like?  In general in the mornings we'll practice goddess-based Hatha Yoga inclusive of breathwork and some meditation, along with introductory teachings on the goddess entity of focus that day. Her key qualities and signature aspects. 

Buffet breakfast will follow then sometime to get ready for the day. Then we meet up as a group and head out for an excursion with teachings and practices on site at different location throughout the cities we are visiting. 

Lunch will be somewhere when we are out and about and you're free to get what you like. Dinner we'll eat as a group and the end of the day we meet up for a recap of the day's teachings and focus and for group exchange and integration. 

* Each day a daily schedule will be sent to you via our Whatsapp group. 

* Days of travel will in general be days off from study and structured practice. They will be times to just be and enjoy India and for integration and reflection.